Bracketology: Arkansas Currently Last Four In’ According to Recent ESPN NCAA Tournament Projection

In John Calipari’s first year at the helm, his Arkansas Razorbacks haven’t quite met the expectations that fans and even critics expected them to.

A team that was destined to flourish with seasoned transfers and young talent currently finds itself towards the bottom half of the SEC table as the tournament season inches closer and closer.

The Hogs, currently sitting with a 16-11 overall record and a 5-9 SEC record, are on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament, currently holding a “last four in” spot as a No. 11 seed in Joe Lunardi of ESPN’s recent bracketology.

The Razorbacks currently have a 4-9 record against quad-one opponents, a 1-2 record against quad-two opponents, a 4-0 record against quad-three opponents and a 7-0 record against quad-four opponents, placing them at No. 40 in the current NET rankings.

Three of those calculated quad-one wins were against ranked opponents, beating No. 14 Michigan in New York City, No. 12 Kentucky inside of Rupp Arena, and No. 15 Missouri at home (bracketology has not been updated since before the win over No. 15 Missouri).

If Arkansas does earn a “last four in” spot, it will lurk to the “First Four” in Dayton, Ohio, basically serving in a play-in game. The Hogs are currently projected to face another No. 11 seed, Virginia Commonwealth.

Virginia Commonwealth, known as VCU, has a 22-5 overall record and a 12-2 record in A10 play as it stands, currently pursuing a 0-1 record in its one and only quad-one matchup, losing at New Mexico back in December.

If the Hogs do wind up meeting the Rams in the “First Four”, the game should be marked as one of the better matchups, as both sides average a near number in points per game with Arkansas averaging 76.1 PPG and VCU averaging 78.2 PPG. VCU does allow a slightly significant less number of points per game, surrendering 62.5 PPG compared to Arkansas’ 69.4

If Arkansas seeks to keep its tournament hopes afloat, it will need to continue riding a hot trajectory and winning games. The Razorbacks are scheduled to welcome the Texas Longhorns, who are also on the NCAA Tournament bubble, to Fayetteville on Wednesday night.

Texas is back in the hunt to make the big dance after beating No. 15 Kentucky 82-78 back in Austin on Feb. 15.

Tipoff for that crucial game is set for 8 p.m. CT and can be viewed on ESPN2.